Laundry treating appliance with removable basket

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for a laundry treating appliance including a first basket defining a first treating chamber for receiving laundry for treatment according to a selected cycle of operation. A first clothes mover can be provided in the first treating chamber. A removable basket assembly can include a second basket with a second clothes mover. A transmitter can be included in the removable basket assembly for operably coupling the second clothes mover to the first clothes mover.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/651,589, filed Jul. 17, 2017, now allowed, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Laundry treating appliances, such as clothes washers, refreshers, andnon-aqueous systems, may have a configuration based on a rotating basketthat defines a treating chamber in which laundry items are placed fortreating. The laundry treating appliance may have a controller thatimplements a number of pre-programmed cycles of operation having one ormore operating parameters. The controller may control a motor to rotatethe basket according to one of the pre-programmed cycles of operation.The controller may control the motor to rotate the basket at the samespeeds for a give pre-programmed cycle of operation regardless of thecharacteristics of the laundry items or changes in the system.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one aspect, the disclosure relates to a removable basket assembly fora laundry treating appliance having a first clothes mover, the removablebasket assembly includes a basket adapted to be selectively receivablewithin a portion of the laundry treating appliance. The basket defines atreating chamber for receiving laundry for treatment according to acycle of operation. The laundry treating appliance also has a clothesmover disposed in the treating chamber and adapted for rotation withinthe basket and a transmitter having a body mounted to the clothes mover.When the basket is received within the laundry treating appliance thebody is operably coupled to the clothes mover such that rotation of theclothes mover can be transmitted to the clothes mover through thetransmitter.

In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a removable basket assemblyfor a laundry treating appliance having a first clothes mover disposedin a first treating chamber and operably coupled to a motor for rotationwithin the first treating chamber. The first clothes mover has a set ofblades extending from a bottom wall of the first clothes mover and alonga length of the first clothes mover and terminating in a set of bladeends. The removable basket assembly is selectively receivable within atleast a portion of the first treating chamber and removably coupled tothe first clothes mover. The removable basket assembly includes a secondbasket defining a second treating chamber for receiving laundry fortreatment, a second clothes mover disposed in the second treatingchamber, the second clothes mover comprising one of a plurality ofextensions or a plurality of corresponding grooves disposed about acircumference of an interior wall of the second clothes mover, and atransmitter having a body comprising an interior and an exterior wall,the interior comprising a set of recesses adapted to receive the set ofblade ends for coupling the transmitter to first clothes mover, theexterior wall of the transmitter comprising the other of the pluralityof extensions or the plurality of corresponding grooves disposed aboutan outer circumference of the transmitter body for coupling the secondclothes mover to the transmitter. When the second basket is rotatablycoupled to the first basket and the second clothes mover is operablycoupled to the first clothes mover via the transmitter and when thesecond basket is received within the at least a portion of the firsttreating chamber, rotation of the first clothes mover is transmitted tothe second clothes mover through the transmitter and separately fromrotational movement of the first basket and the second basket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a laundry treating appliance in the formof a washing machine having a removable basket assembly and a lowerbasket with a first clothes mover.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of a control system of the laundry treatingappliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the removable basket assembly of FIG. 1and the first clothes mover.

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective of the exploded view of FIG. 3,illustrating sloped sections on the transmitter.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the transmitter and the second clothesmover of FIG. 3 illustrating a male connector on the transmitter and afemale connector on the second clothes mover.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the transmitter aligned with a bottom view ofthe second clothes mover illustrating a plurality of ribs on the maleconnector of the transmitter adapted to be received within grooves onthe female connector of the second clothes mover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a laundry treating applianceincluding a dual-basket system including a lower basket and a removablebasket assembly. A first treating chamber is formed by the lower basketand a second treating chamber is formed by a second basket in theremovable basket assembly. A cycle of operation can be used to treatlaundry articles within one or more of the first or second treatingchambers. A first clothes mover can be provided in the first treatingchamber and a second clothes mover can be provided in the secondtreating chamber. A transmitter can be used to operably couple the firstclothes mover to the second clothes mover to impart movement from thefirst clothes mover to the second clothes mover.

In the situation where the dual-basket system is utilizing the removablebasket assembly, the removable basket assembly can be placed on thefirst clothes mover in the lower basket to mount the removable basketassembly within the laundry treating appliance. The transmitter providesfor transferring rotational force from the first clothes mover to thesecond clothes mover, as well as facilitating proper mounting of theremovable basket assembly to the remainder of the laundry treatingappliance.

The transmitter can be coupled to the removable upper basket tofacilitate mounting and connection to the first clothes mover. The firstclothes mover can include a set of blades and the transmitter caninclude a set of recesses adapted to receive the blades to mount theremovable basket assembly. The blades received within the recesses canimpart torque from the first clothes mover to the transmitter duringoperation. The transmitter can also couple or affix to the secondclothes mover. The transmitter can impart torque or rotational movementto the second clothes mover within the second basket. A male connectoron the transmitter and a female socket on the second clothes mover canfacilitate transmission of the torque from the transmitter to the secondclothes mover.

Referring now to FIG. 1 a laundry treating appliance 10 can be anyappliance which performs a cycle of operation to clean or otherwisetreat items or articles placed therein, such as clothing laundry in onenon-limiting example. The laundry treating appliance 10 is illustratedas a washing machine, which can include a structural support systemcomprising a cabinet 12 which defines a housing within which a laundryholding system resides. The cabinet 12 can be a housing having a chassisand/or a frame, defining an interior enclosing components typicallyfound in a conventional washing machine, such as motors, pumps, fluidlines, controls, sensors, transducers, and the like. Such componentswill not be described further herein except as necessary for a completeunderstanding of the invention.

The laundry treating appliance 10 includes a tub 14 supported within thecabinet 12 by a suitable suspension system 16 for dynamically suspendingportions of the laundry treating appliance 10 within the cabinet 12. Afirst basket 18 is provided within the tub 14 and defines a firsttreating chamber 20. The first basket 18 can include a plurality ofperforations 26 such that liquid can flow between the tub 14 and thefirst basket 18 through the perforations 26. A first clothes mover 28 isprovided the first treating chamber 20 to move or agitate laundryarticles received in the first treating chamber 20 according to a cycleof operation. Clothes mover as used herein can mean any suitable clothesmover to impart mechanical energy to a load of laundry, such as anagitator, mover, blade, impeller, or auger in non-limiting examples. Abalance ring 30 can be provided along an upper edge 32 of the firstbasket 18.

A removable basket assembly 38 can include a second basket 22 that is atleast partially provided within the first basket 18 and defines a secondtreating chamber 24. A transmitter 34 can be included in the removablebasket assembly 38 and can removably attach to the first clothes mover28. The transmitter 34 facilitates attachment and removal of theremovable basket assembly 38 to and from the first clothes mover 28 toposition the second basket 22 at least partially within the firsttreating chamber 20. A second clothes mover 36 is provided within thesecond basket 22 and is coupled with the first clothes mover 28 via thetransmitter 34.

An upper ring 40 can be included in the removable basket assembly 38 andcan operably couple to the second basket 22. The upper ring 40 caninclude an outer diameter that is greater than a diameter of the secondbasket 22. The upper ring 40 can extend at least partially over and seatupon the balance ring 30, such that the balance ring 30 can at leastpartially support the removable basket assembly 38 at the upper ring 40.A set of outlets 42 can be provided in the upper ring 40 to provideegress for liquid from the second basket 22. A set as used herein caninclude any number of elements, including only one. A detergentdispenser 44 and a fabric softener dispenser 46 can mount along theinterior of the upper ring 40 and extend into the second treatingchamber 24. Furthermore, the upper ring 40 can partially form thedispensers 44, 46. While the dispensers 44, 46 are described as specificto detergent and fabric softener, the dispensers 44, 46 can be used fordispensing any suitable treating chemistry into the second basket 22,which can be particular to a cycle of operation, including but notlimited to water, enzymes, fragrances, stiffness/sizing agents, wrinklereleasers/reducers, softeners, antistatic or electrostatic agents, stainrepellants, water repellants, energy reduction/extraction aids,antibacterial agents, medicinal agents, vitamins, moisturizers,shrinkage inhibitors, and color fidelity agents, and combinationsthereof.

It should be appreciated that the removable basket assembly 38 isremovable, such that the laundry treating appliance 10 can be used withor without the removable basket assembly 38. The balance ring 30 on thefirst basket 18 and the transmitter 34 coupled to the first clothesmover 28 are used to support the removable basket assembly 38.

The laundry treating appliance 10 can further include a door 50 whichcan be movably mounted to the cabinet 12 to selectively close the tub14, the first basket 18, or the second basket 22. The laundry treatingappliance 10 can further include a liquid supply system 52 for supplyingwater to the laundry treating appliance 10 for use in treating laundryduring a cycle of operation. The liquid supply system 52 can include asource of water, such as a household water supply 60, which can includeseparate valves 62 and 64 for controlling the flow of hot and coldwater, respectively. Water can be supplied to a liquid manifold 66 via asupply conduit 68. Optionally, one or more additional valves can beincluded on the supply conduit 68 to selectively provide water to theliquid manifold 66, or to tailor water temperature from the householdwater supply 60. A water dispenser 70, fluidly coupled to the liquidmanifold 66, can mount to the door 50, for providing water to one ormore of the first and second baskets 18, 22 via a first outlet 72. Thewater dispenser 70 can overhang above the first and second baskets 18,22 such that water dispensed from the first outlet 72 can pass into thesecond basket 22 when using the removable basket assembly 38, or intothe first basket 22 when the removable basket assembly 38 is not beingused. A second outlet 74 can be provided on the liquid manifold 66dedicated to the first basket 18. The second outlet 74 can be positionedoutside of the second basket 22, such that any dispensed water will passinto the space between the tub 14 and the upper ring 40, passing intothe first treating chamber 20, but not into the second treating chamber24. The water dispenser 70 can be dedicated to the removable basketassembly and the second outlet 74 can be dedicated to the first basket18; however, the laundry treating appliance 10 should not be so limited.

A dispenser 76 can be provided within or adjacent to the liquid manifold66 and in fluid communication with the liquid manifold 66. The dispenser76 can be used to dispense treating chemistry to the first basket 18through the second outlet 74. Non-limiting examples of treatingchemistries that can be dispensed by the dispensing system during acycle of operation include one or more of the following: water, enzymes,fragrances, stiffness/sizing agents, wrinkle releasers/reducers,softeners, antistatic or electrostatic agents, stain repellants, waterrepellants, energy reduction/extraction aids, antibacterial agents,medicinal agents, vitamins, moisturizers, shrinkage inhibitors, andcolor fidelity agents, and combinations thereof. In one non-limitingexample, the detergent dispenser 44 can be a dispenser as disclosed inU.S. Pub. No. 2015/0059417 to Ramasco, filed Aug. 27, 2014 entitled“Valved Dispensing System for Products in Liquid Form by InertialCentrifugal Action for Household Appliances,” which is hereinincorporated by reference in full.

The removable basket assembly 38 can further include coupling elementsdisposed on the periphery of the second basket 22. Such couplingelements can couple the removable basket assembly 38 to the first basket18 and permit common rotation among the two. In one non-limitingexample, the coupling elements can be similar to those as disclosed inU.S. Pub. No. 2016/0222567 to Ramasco et al., filed Oct. 23, 2015,entitled “Coupling System of Removable Compartment for Appliances,”which is herein incorporated by reference in full, and the removablebasket assembly 38 can couple in the same manner as described therein.

The laundry treating appliance 10 can also include a recirculation anddrain system for recirculating or draining liquid within the laundrytreating appliance 10. Liquid supplied to the tub 14 typically enters aspace between the tub 14 and the first basket 18 and can flow by gravityto a sump 80 formed in part by a lower portion of the tub 14. The sump80 can also be formed by a sump conduit 82 that can fluidly couple thelower portion of the tub 14 to a pump 84. The pump 84 can direct liquidto a drain conduit 86, which can drain the liquid from the laundrytreating appliance 10, or to a recirculation conduit 88, which candirect the liquid from the sump conduit 82 into the liquid manifold 66,which can be returned to one or more of the first or second treatingchambers 20, 24. In this manner, liquid provided to the tub 14, with orwithout treating chemistry can be recirculated into either the first orsecond treating chambers 20, 24 for treating the laundry per one or morecycles of operation.

The liquid supply and/or recirculation and drain system can be providedwith a heating system which can include one or more devices for heatinglaundry and/or liquid supplied to the tub 14, such as a sump heater 90,which can be used to heat the laundry and/or liquid within the tub 14 aspart of a cycle of operation.

Additionally, the liquid supply, recirculation and drain system candiffer from the configuration shown in FIG. 1, such as by inclusion ofother valves, conduits, treating chemistry dispensers, sensors, such aswater level sensors and temperature sensors, and the like, to controlthe flow of liquid through the laundry treating appliance 10 and for theintroduction of more than one type of treating chemistry.

The laundry treating appliance 10 also includes a drive system forrotating the first and second baskets 18, 22 within the tub 14. Thedrive system can include a motor 92, which can be directly coupled withthe first basket 18 and the first clothes mover 28 through a drive shaft93 to rotate or reciprocate the first basket 18 or the first clothesmover 28 about a rotational axis during a cycle of operation.Additionally, the rotational movement of the first clothes mover 28 canbe imparted to the second clothes mover 36 and rotational movement ofthe first basket 18 can be imparted to the second basket 22. The motor92, in one non-limiting example, can be a brushless permanent magnet(BPM) motor. Other motors, such as an induction motor or a permanentsplit capacitor (PSC) motor, can also be used. The motor 92 can rotatethe first basket 18 and the second basket 22 at various speeds in eitherrotational direction, and can reciprocate the first and second clothesmovers 28, 36 within its respective basket.

The laundry treating appliance 10 also includes a control system forcontrolling the operation of the laundry treating appliance 10 toimplement one or more cycles of operation. The control system caninclude a controller 94 located within the cabinet 12 and a userinterface 96 that is operably coupled with the controller 94. Thecontroller 94 operably couples to the liquid supply system 52 and theuser interface 96. The user interface 96 is configured to receive inputfrom a user and provide output to the user. Such input can be used toselect a cycle of operation, for example, and output can includeinformation related to the cycle of operation, such as status. The inputcan be communicated to the controller 94, indicative of and includinginstructions to execute the cycle of operation. The user interface 96can include one or more knobs 98, dials, switches, displays, touchscreens and the like for communicating with the user, such as to receiveinput and provide output. The user can enter different types ofinformation including, without limitation, cycle selection and cycleparameters, such as cycle options.

The controller 94 can include the machine controller and any additionalcontrollers provided for controlling any of the components of thelaundry treating appliance 10. For example, the controller 94 caninclude the machine controller and a motor controller. It iscontemplated that the controller 94 is a microprocessor-based controllerthat implements control software and sends/receives one or moreelectrical signals to/from each of the various working components toeffect the control software.

Referring to FIG. 2, the controller 94 can be provided with a memory 100and a central processing unit (CPU) 102. The memory 100 can be used forstoring the control software that is executed by the CPU 102 incompleting a cycle of operation using the laundry treating appliance 10and any additional software. Examples, without limitation, of cycles ofoperation include: wash, heavy duty wash, delicate wash, quick wash,pre-wash, refresh, rinse only, and timed wash.

The controller 94 can be operably coupled with one or more components ofthe laundry treating appliance 10 for communicating with and controllingthe operation of the component to complete a cycle of operation. Forexample, the controller 94 can be operably coupled with the motor 92,the pump 84, the liquid manifold 66, the water dispenser 70, thedispenser 76, the sump heater 90 which can be provided throughout thelaundry treating appliance 10 to implement the operation of these andother components to implement one or more of the cycles of operation.Additional instruction or communication can be sent to or received froma user through the user interface 96.

The controller 94 can also be coupled with one or more sensors 104provided in one or more of the systems of the laundry treating appliance10 to receive input from the sensors, which are known in the art and notshown for simplicity. Non-limiting examples of sensors 104 that can becommunicably coupled with the controller 94 include: a treating chambertemperature sensor, a moisture sensor, a weight sensor, a chemicalsensor, a position sensor and a motor torque sensor, which can be usedto determine a variety of system and laundry characteristics, such aslaundry load inertia or mass. One particular sensor can be a positionsensor to determine whether the removable basket assembly 38 ispositioned within the laundry treating appliance 10. Another particularsensor can be a flow meter, which can be used to measure and control theamount of water filling the removable basket assembly 38. The flow metercould minimize or prevent the occurrence of water leaving the removablebasket assembly 38 during the filling phase, and minimize contaminationpotential with the first basket 18. Yet another particular sensor caninclude a sensor for determining the presence of the removable basketassembly 38. Additionally, detection of the removable basket assembly 38can be detected in a manner disclosed in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2016/0201243to Bergamo, filed Oct. 23, 2015, entitled “Detection System of WashingMachines Removable Basket and Method for Detection of Washing MachinesRemovable Basket,” which is herein incorporated by reference in full.

The laundry treating appliance 10 can be operated with both the firstbasket 18 and the second basket 22, simultaneously, or can be operatedwith either the first basket 18 or the second basket 22 individually.When executing a cycle of operation within the first basket 18 withoutthe removable basket assembly 38, the second basket 22, including thetransmitter 34, can be removed from the laundry treating appliance 10.When using the removable basket assembly 38 alone, laundry articles needto be provided only in the second basket 22. In such an organization,the removable basket assembly 38 mounts on the first clothes mover 28.Rotational or reciprocating movement of the first clothes mover 28 istransferred to the second clothes mover 36 via the transmitter 34. Whenusing both the first and second baskets 18, 22, the first basket 18 canbe filled with laundry articles, then the removable basket assembly 38installs over the first treating chamber 20, and the second basket 22 isfilled with additional laundry articles. The reverse of theaforementioned process can be used to remove laundry articles after acycle of operation has completed.

In operation using both the removable basket assembly 38 and the firstbasket 18, treating chemistry can be provided in one or more of thedispensers 44, 46, 76, to treat the laundry articles according to adesired cycle of operation. A user can select a cycle of operation onthe user interface 96, such as a standard wash cycle of operation.Different cycles of operation can be tailored to different or individualtreating chambers, as well as different organizations, such as with orwithout the removable basket assembly 38. Water can fill the firstbasket 18 dispensed from the second outlet 74 and passing to fill thetub 14, and then filling the first basket 18 through the perforations26. Water can simultaneously fill the second basket 22 dispensed fromthe first outlet 72 of the water dispenser 70. Detergent can bedispensed into the first treating chamber 20 from the dispenser 76 inthe liquid manifold 66 and can be dispensed into the second treatingchamber 24 from the dispensers 44, 46 on the upper ring 40. The firstand second clothes movers 28, 36 can agitate the articles within thefirst and second treating chambers 20, 24, respectively. Rotational orreciprocating movement of the first clothes mover 28 is translated tothe second clothes mover 36 via the transmitter 34. After completion ofthe wash cycle, the liquid can drain from the first treating chamber 20into the tub 14. The motor 92 can then rotate the first basket 18 andimpart rotational movement to the second basket 22. The rotationalmovement of the second basket 22 can drive liquid within the secondbasket 22 outward and upward toward the outlets 42, where water candrain over the balance ring 30 and into the tub 14 exterior of the firstbasket 18. The liquid can drain from the laundry treating appliance 10through the drain conduit 86. A rinse cycle can then begin, refillingboth the first and second treating chambers 20, 24 in the same manner asthe wash cycle. The water can be again drained and a spin cycle canbegin. Rotational movement is transferred from the motor to the secondbasket 22 via the first basket 18. Liquid can drain from the first andsecond treating chamber 20, 24 in the same manner as draining the washcycle. As such, the first and second treating chambers 20, 24 can treattwo individual loads of articles separately, but simultaneously.

Alternatively, the second basket 22 can be used alone. The operation canbe similar to that described above, without filling, draining, ortreating any articles within the first treating chamber 20. Rotationalor reciprocating movement is still imparted to the first basket 18 andthe first clothes mover 28, which is transferred to the second basket 22and the second clothes mover 36, respectively, in order to treatarticles in the second basket 22.

Alternatively, the first basket 18 can be used alone. The removablebasket assembly 38 can be removed and the first basket 18 can treat aload of laundry in a manner similar to that of a traditional laundrytreating appliance 10. In yet another alternative, the removable basketassembly 38 can remain on top of the first basket 18, and the firsttreating chamber 20 can be used to treat a load of laundry articleswhile carrying the removable basket assembly in a manner describedabove, without the steps involved with treating articles within thesecond basket 22.

Referring now to FIG. 3 illustrating the basket assembly 38 in moredetail, a cover 120 is included in the removable basket assembly 38. Twohandles 122 can be provided in the upper ring 40, spaced between thefirst and second dispenser 44, 46. An exterior wall 124 can form theradial extent of the second basket 22. An interior wall 126 terminatesat an upper edge 128 and can be separated into an upper portion 132 anda lower portion 134. A central aperture 130 is defined within the secondbasket 22 by the interior wall 126.

A clothes mover body 140 for the second clothes mover 36 includes asidewall 142 transitioning into a bottom wall 144. A set of blades 146can be provided on the clothes mover body 140 extending along at least aportion of the sidewall 142 and transitioning along the bottom wall 144.A top wall 148 can form an upper terminal edge for the sidewall 142. Afemale connector 150 can be provided on the top wall 148. The cover 120can be adapted to couple to the second clothes mover 36 at the top wall148 to cover a female connector 150. The sidewall 142, bottom wall 144,and the top wall 148 are sized to surround the interior wall 126 of thesecond basket 22, while remaining spaced from the upper edge 128 whenassembled.

A transmitter body 160 can form the transmitter 34, and can be arrangedinto an upper section 162, an intermediate section 164, and a lowersection 166. An upper edge 168 forms the terminal end of the uppersection 162. A male connector 170 can be provided on the upper edge 168and is adapted to be received by the female connector 150 of the secondclothes mover 36. It should be appreciated that the male connectors 170and the female connector 150 on the second clothes mover 36 can beinterchangeable, having one of the male or female connectors 150, 170 onthe second clothes mover 36 and the other on the transmitter 34. Theupper section 162 can be sized to fit within the interior wall 126 ofthe second basket 22. The intermediate section 164 can have a greaterdiameter than that of the upper section 162 and can transition into theupper section 162. The intermediate section 164 can be sized fit withinthe lower portion 134 of the second basket 22. The lower section 166 canhave a diameter that is greater than that of the intermediate section164 and can transition into the intermediate section 164. A set ofprotrusions 172 are formed in the lower section 166 extending toward theintermediate section 164.

The first clothes mover 28 can include a sidewall 182 and a bottom wall184. A set of movers 186 are provided on the bottom wall 184 adapted tomove laundry along the bottom wall 184. A set of blades 188 can bepartially formed on the first clothes mover 28 extending from the bottomwall 184 along the sidewall 182 and provided between the movers 186. Theblades 188 extend at least partially along the length of the firstclothes mover 28, terminating at a set of blade ends 190.

In assembly of the removable basket assembly 38 the transmitter 34 caninsert through the central aperture 130 of the second basket 22. Thesizing of the upper portion 132 of the interior wall 126 can becomplementary to the upper section 162 of the transmitter 34 to extendthe male connector 170 beyond the upper edge 128 of the interior wall126. Furthermore, the lower portion 134 can be sized to surround theintermediate and lower sections 164, 166, while the upper portion 132includes a diameter that is too small to permit insertion of theintermediate and lower sections 164, 166.

The second clothes mover 36 can insert over the interior wall 126 of thesecond basket 22. Removal of the upper ring 40 may be required to fitthe second clothes mover 36 within the second basket 22. The clothesmover body 140 pass over the interior wall 126 until the male connector170 is received in and coupled to the female connector 150. As the maleconnector 170 extends beyond the upper edge 128 of the interior wall126, the second clothes mover 36 can be spaced within the second basket22 while not contacting the second basket 22. The cover 120 can mount tothe second clothes mover 36 over the female connector 150. Innon-limiting example, the cover can secure to the second clothes mover36 by way of press fit or weld.

In the spaced arrangement, unrestricted rotational or reciprocatingmovement of the second clothes mover 36 is possible within the secondbasket 22. Such connection of the removable basket assembly 38 can befixed such that the transmitter fastens to the second clothes mover 36through the second basket 22 and the cover fastens onto the femaleconnector 150. The removable basket assembly 38 can then removably mounton the first clothes mover 28 as a single unit.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an exterior wall 200 can form the transmitterbody 160 and the upper, intermediate, and lower sections 162, 164, 166.An interior 202 for the transmitter 34 can be defined by the exteriorwall 200. The transmitter 34 can be sized to receive the first clothesmover 28 within the interior 202. A complementary set of recesses 204can be defined in the interior 202 by the set of protrusions 172 in theexterior wall 200. The set of recesses 204 can each terminate at arecess end 206. A sloped portion 208 can be formed in the recess 204 atan inlet for the recess 204. The sloped portion 208 is wider than theremainder of the recesses 204.

The set of recesses 204 can be adapted to receive the set of blades 188on the first clothes mover 28 in mounting the transmitter 34 (and theremovable basket assembly 38) to the first clothes mover 28. The slopedportions 208 can be used to guide and facilitate insertion of the set ofblades 188 into the set of recesses 204 during attachment. The slopedportions 208 can further correct an offset placement of the removablebasket assembly 38 with respect to the first clothes mover 28. Morespecifically, the sloped portion 208 allows for misaligned blades to bedirected into the recess 204. The number or recesses 204 can be greateror equal than the number of blades 188. In one non-limiting example,there can be eight recesses 204 and only four blades 188.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a male connector wall 222 can include a set ofextensions 220 that form the male connector 170. The male connector wall222 can include a variable geometry to define the set of extensions 220spaced between a set of depressions 224. Transition portions 226 areformed along the male connector wall 222 between the extensions 220 andthe depressions 224. An interior wall 228, connected to the maleconnector wall 222, can form a top aperture 230. A set of connector ribs232 can extend from the interior wall 228 to the male connector wall 222to improve rigidity of the male connector 170.

The female connector 150 can include a set of fingers 234 adapted tocouple to the cover 120. The fingers 234 can include openings 236adapted to rotatably couple to the cover 120 to secure the cover 120 tothe second clothes mover 36. An outer wall 238 formed by the sidewall142, the bottom wall 144, and the top wall 148, and can define aninterior 240 for the second clothes mover 36.

Referring to FIG. 6, a bottom view better illustrates the interior 240of the second clothes mover 36 and an underside 250 of the femaleconnector 150 adapted to couple to the male connector 170, shown in atop view.

A female connector wall 254 is provided within the female connector andis sized to receive the male connector wall 222 of the male connector170. A set of extensions 256 on the female connector wall 254 are sizedto surround the set of extensions 220. A set of depressions 258 andtransition portions 260 are also formed by in female connector wall 254,complementary to the set of depressions 224 and the transition portions226 of the male connector 170. A set of hollow posts 262 can extend fromthe top wall 148 of the female connector 150, extending into theinterior 240 of the second clothes mover 36.

The male connector 170 can further include a set of receivers 252,adapted to couple to the set of posts 262 on the female connector 150.To attach the second clothes mover 36 to the transmitter 34, the maleconnector 170 couples to the female connector 150. The set of extensions220 are adapted to be received at the set of extensions 256, and the setof depressions 224 are adapted to be received at the set of depressions258. Furthermore, the posts 262 can weld or bolt to the receivers 252 tomechanically fasten the second clothes mover 36 to the transmitter 34.

When coupled, the transmitter 34 can transmit torque or rotationalmovement to the second clothes mover 36, such that movement of thetransmitter 34 is reflected in movement of the second clothes mover 36.The organization of the complementary male connector wall 222 within thegroove wall 254 transmits rotational or reciprocating movement from thetransmitter 34 to the second clothes mover 36. Similarly, coupling ofthe transmitter 34 to the first clothes mover 28, as described in FIG.4, transmits movement of the first clothes mover 28 to the transmitter34. Therefore, the transmitter 34 provides for transmitting ortransferring torque or rotational movement from the first clothes mover28 to the second clothes mover 36. Therefore, when utilizing theremovable basket assembly 38 within the laundry treating appliance 10, asingle motor can provide movement to both the first and second clothesmovers 28, 36 simultaneously, without requiring an additional motor or acomplex mechanical system to drive the second clothes mover 36 inaddition to the first clothes mover 28.

To the extent not already described, the different features andstructures of the various embodiments may be used in combination witheach other as desired. That one feature may not be illustrated in all ofthe embodiments is not meant to be construed that it cannot be, but isdone for brevity of description. Thus, the various features of thedifferent embodiments may be mixed and matched as desired to form newembodiments, whether or not the new embodiments are expressly described.

While the invention has been specifically described in connection withcertain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that thisis by way of illustration and not of limitation. Reasonable variationand modification are possible within the scope of the forgoingdisclosure and drawings without departing from the spirit of theinvention, which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A removable basket assembly for a laundrytreating appliance having a first clothes mover, the removable basketassembly, comprising: a basket adapted to be selectively receivablewithin a portion of the laundry treating appliance, the basket defininga treating chamber for receiving laundry for treatment according to acycle of operation; a clothes mover disposed in the treating chamber andadapted for rotation within the basket; and a transmitter having a bodymounted to the clothes mover and wherein when the basket is receivedwithin the laundry treating appliance the body is operably coupled tothe clothes mover such that rotation of the clothes mover can betransmitted to the clothes mover through the transmitter.
 2. Theremovable basket assembly of claim 1 wherein the body includes a femaleconnector that is adapted to receive a portion of the clothes mover. 3.The removable basket assembly of claim 2 wherein the female connectorincludes a set of recesses adapted to receive a set of blades of theclothes mover.
 4. The removable basket assembly of claim 3 wherein theset of recesses are greater in number than the set of blades of theclothes mover.
 5. The removable basket assembly of claim 3 wherein atleast one of the set of recesses includes a wider inlet than a remainderof the recess.
 6. The removable basket assembly of claim 3 wherein atleast one of the set of recesses includes a sloped section adapted tocorrect an offset placement of the basket with respect to the clothesmover.
 7. The removable basket assembly of claim 1 wherein one of theclothes mover or transmitter includes a male connector configured tocouple with a female connector provided on the other of the clothesmover or transmitter.
 8. The removable basket assembly of claim 7wherein the male and female connectors have complementary profiles. 9.The removable basket assembly of claim 7 wherein one of the male orfemale connectors comprises a plurality of extensions configured to matewith corresponding grooves disposed on the other of the male or femaleconnector.
 10. The removable basket assembly of claim 9 wherein one ofthe male or female connectors further comprises a plurality of postsconfigured to mate with corresponding receivers disposed on the other ofthe male or female connector.
 11. A removable basket assembly for alaundry treating appliance having a first clothes mover disposed in afirst treating chamber and operably coupled to a motor for rotationwithin the first treating chamber, the first clothes mover comprising aset of blades extending from a bottom wall of the first clothes moverand along a length of the first clothes mover and terminating in a setof blade ends, the removable basket assembly, removable basket assemblyselectively receivable within at least a portion of the first treatingchamber and removably coupled to the first clothes mover, the removablebasket assembly, comprising: a second basket defining a second treatingchamber for receiving laundry for treatment; a second clothes moverdisposed in the second treating chamber, the second clothes movercomprising one of a plurality of extensions or a plurality ofcorresponding grooves disposed about a circumference of an interior wallof the second clothes mover; a transmitter having a body comprising aninterior and an exterior wall, the interior comprising a set of recessesadapted to receive the set of blade ends for coupling the transmitter tofirst clothes mover, the exterior wall of the transmitter comprising theother of the plurality of extensions or the plurality of correspondinggrooves disposed about an outer circumference of the transmitter bodyfor coupling the second clothes mover to the transmitter; and whereinwhen the second basket is rotatably coupled to the first basket and thesecond clothes mover is operably coupled to the first clothes mover viathe transmitter and when the second basket is received within the atleast a portion of the first treating chamber, rotation of the firstclothes mover is transmitted to the second clothes mover through thetransmitter and separately from rotational movement of the first basketand the second basket.
 12. The removable basket assembly of claim 11,wherein the set of recesses are greater in number than the set ofblades.
 13. The removable basket assembly of claim 11, wherein the firstclothes mover further comprises a sidewall, a set of movers are providedon the bottom wall and the set of blades extend along the sidewall andare spaced about a circumference of the sidewall.
 14. The removablebasket assembly of claim 13, wherein the set of blades are providedbetween the set of movers.
 15. The removable basket assembly of claim11, wherein the first treating chamber and the second treating chamberare configured to treat two individual loads of articles separately andsimultaneously.
 16. The removable basket assembly of claim 1, whereinthe second basket further comprises a set of outlets configured toprovide egress for liquid from the second basket into a tub that islocated exterior of the first basket.
 17. The removable basket assemblyof claim 16, wherein the second basket further comprises an upper ringand the set of outlets are provided in the upper ring.
 18. The removablebasket assembly of claim 1, wherein the transmitter body comprises anupper section, an intermediate section, and a lower section.
 19. Theremovable basket assembly of claim 18, wherein the lower section of thetransmitter body is sized to receive a top portion of the first clothesmover.
 20. The removable basket assembly of claim 18, wherein the lowersection of the transmitter body comprises the set of recesses on theinterior.
 21. The removable basket assembly of claim 20, wherein a setof protrusions are formed on the exterior wall of the lower section. 22.The removable basket assembly of claim 20, wherein each recess in theset of recesses terminates in a sloped portion such that the slopedportion is wider than the rest of the recess for correcting an offsetplacement of the second basket with respect to the first clothes mover.23. The removable basket assembly of claim 18, wherein the upper sectionof the transmitter comprises the other of the plurality of extensions orthe plurality of corresponding grooves.
 24. The removable basketassembly of claim 18, wherein the intermediate section comprises agreater diameter than that of the upper section.
 25. The removablebasket assembly of claim 24, wherein the intermediate section has asmaller diameter than the lower section.
 26. The removable basketassembly of claim 25, wherein the intermediate section is sized to fitwithin a lower portion of the second basket.